Kimball's Inspiring Story Continues On and Off the Track

Published 05/28 2014 07:52PM

Updated 05/28 2014 07:57PM

NEARLY SEVEN YEARS AGO...Charlie Kimball's life and racing career took a major turn on a doctor's visit for an unrelated skin rash."he took some tests...noticed my blood sugar was five, six timeshigher than what it should be."KIMBALL WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE ONE DIABETES."I've had to change my health care just like i change what i'm doing with the race carsome times... always learning, but it hasn't gotten in the way of my racing at all."

THE FIRST LICENSED DIABETIC INDY CAR DRIVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT...KIMBALL REFLECTS ON HIS FIRST TWO WEEKS AFTER HIS DIAGNOSIS...CALLING THEM DARK DAYS...VERY CHALLENGING...BUT HIS DOCTOR ASSURED HIM THAT HE COULD STILL RACE."diabetes shouldn't get in the way of what you're trying to do..it's important to live your dreams."IN HIS 20-11 INDY CAR DEBUT... KIMBALL BECAME THE FIRST INDY CAR DRIVER TO QUALIFY AND START IN THE BIG RACE...FINISHING 13TH."right tools, right management, diabetes doesn't have to slow you down. i'm having a blast...parents said if you like what you do...you'll never work a day in your life."THEN THERE'S THE MESSAGE THAT KIMBALL SHARES...WHAT HE GETS FROM THE WORK HE DOES *OFF THE TRACK...AS A SPOKESPERSON FOR DIABETES.

"as much as the people i meet say i inspire them, the chance to hear their story makes me know thatwhen i'm on the race track, the result isn't the only thing that matters."

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